| ACT III SCENE III | A room in Sempronius' house. | |
| [Enter SEMPRONIUS, and a Servant of TIMON's] |
| SEMPRONIUS | Must he needs trouble me in 't,--hum!--'bove |
| all others? |
| He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus; |
| And now Ventidius is wealthy too, |
| Whom he redeem'd from prison: all these | 5 |
| Owe their estates unto him. |
| Servant | My lord, |
| They have all been touch'd and found base metal, for |
| They have all denied him. |
| SEMPRONIUS | How! have they denied him? | 10 |
| Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him? |
| And does he send to me? Three? hum! |
| It shows but little love or judgment in him: |
| Must I be his last refuge! His friends, like |
| physicians, | 15 |
| Thrive, give him over: must I take the cure upon me? |
| Has much disgraced me in't; I'm angry at him, |
| That might have known my place: I see no sense for't, |
| But his occasion might have woo'd me first; |
| For, in my conscience, I was the first man | 20 |
| That e'er received gift from him: |
| And does he think so backwardly of me now, |
| That I'll requite its last? No: |
| So it may prove an argument of laughter |
| To the rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool. | 25 |
| I'ld rather than the worth of thrice the sum, |
| Had sent to me first, but for my mind's sake; |
| I'd such a courage to do him good. But now return, |
| And with their faint reply this answer join; |
| Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin. | 30 |
| [Exit] |
| Servant | Excellent! Your lordship's a goodly villain. The |
| devil knew not what he did when he made man |
| politic; he crossed himself by 't: and I cannot |
| think but, in the end, the villainies of man will |
| set him clear. How fairly this lord strives to | 35 |
| appear foul! takes virtuous copies to be wicked, |
| like those that under hot ardent zeal would set |
| whole realms on fire: Of such a nature is his |
| politic love. |
| This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled, | 40 |
| Save only the gods: now his friends are dead, |
| Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards |
| Many a bounteous year must be employ'd |
| Now to guard sure their master. |
| And this is all a liberal course allows; | 45 |
| Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house. |
| [Exit] |
Sources for Timon of Athens